Tuesday 28 August 2012

Bookstock 2012


On Sunday, I celebrated the last Bank Holiday Weekend of 2012 and went to Bookstock, a free festival hosted by the Book Club. There was live music by some brilliant bands (I loved foot-tapping tunes of ‘The Severed Limb’) and lots of yummy fresh street food at refreshingly reasonable prices. Drinks included freshly made Pimms, cider, beer and bottles of Jeremiah Weed.

Jewellery brand Lola and Grace joined the fun and brought a Megabooth Volkswagen van with them, offering guests the chance to dress up and have their photos taken in the back. Me and my Dad got involved!

There was a disco area and everyone enjoyed the lovely little bouts of sunshine. A well-organised, refreshing change from the madness of Notting Hill Carnival! I hope they plan to repeat it next year, I’ll definitely be there.














Love from Australia Competition Update

My photo is now live on Love from Australia’s Facebook page! Please vote for me and I will love you forever (hopefully emotional blackmail is allowed?) This is the photo I eventually sent them. I went a little equestrian because I have recently become a rather keen rider. And obviously because I love a hat of any kind, together with a nice measure of country chic.



Sunday 26 August 2012

Olympic Memories


I'll never forget: Standing next to a man on the tube who was coincidentally carrying a real-life Olympic Torch (he even let me hold it and took a photo). I went to see the weightlifting with my friend Ruth Pepler at the Excel Centre. More recently, I even met two gold-medal-winning Olympians (see my previous post). It has been amazing to be in London for the 2012 Olympics.



















Saturday 25 August 2012

Hugo Boss Summer Party


On Thursday night, I headed to the Saatchi Gallery on the King’s Road for the Hugo Boss Summer Party.
Celebrating the brand’s 40th year in the UK, guests admired the current ‘Korean Eye’ collection (on display until Sept 23rd), ‘the largest survey of new Korean art to date’. Music was provided by Hugo Tracks DJs and we drank delicious Disaronno cocktails and swilled champagne (such a touch life). Yummy food was provided by the Recipe, wonderfully presented on large clocks.  There was a party photo booth too, offering up some tantalising neon dress-up!
Excitingly, Gold-medal-winning Olympians Greg Rutherford and Luke Campbell were in attendance, both looking incredibly dashing in top-to-toe Hugo Boss. Happy to pose for photos with lots of ladies, the lads set hearts racing with their easy charm and dashing good looks. Luke Campbell even got his medal out on request (ooh-er). All joking aside, it was really quite something to have been in the same room with Team GB-ers.
After surprisingly little persuasion, both Greg and Luke happily donned tea cosies to support White Stuff’s impending National Wear a Tea Cosy on Your Head Day (Thursday 27th September), a charity initiative raising funds and awareness for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. £3 charity tea cosies will be available to buy in White Stuff shops and on their website from this Tuesday. 








Wednesday 22 August 2012

When Fitness is First, Does Style Come Second?


Recently, I was dismayed to find that a man I have been in regular email contact with (via a hideous dating site) goes to the same gym as me. “What if he sees me, sweating and purple? Gasping for breath with the treadmill on the lowest setting after a mere five minute sprint?"I took a moment and realised; there was no way in hell he would think I was the fantastical Glamazon presented in my snazzy profile pics. These images have all been carefully vetted to present myself in the most favorable light. Yes, I’ll admit it, some of them have even been slightly airbrushed. Still, one can never be too careful, and so I started frantically emailing PRs for sartorial help with the gym situation.
I began with what I consider the foundation to any successful outfit; the undies. Freya provided me with a champion sports bra which keeps everything in check; it’s underwired and makes by boobs look at least two sizes smaller (which is exactly what I want when running and jumping about). They even gave me a pair of sweatproof undies which is quite handy. They don’t give VPL which makes me feel slightly less panicked about my arse size.
Everybody knows that a decent pair of trainers are essential gym-wear. It was surprisingly sad to say ‘goodbye’ to my beloved Britney trainers. I think I was about 17 when I bought them and now, at 27, my friends agreed that it was about time to buy some new ones. My mate Charlotte said Asics were a good all-round running trainer brand so, knowing nothing about this sort of thing (the only trainers I have ever actively coveted were from the limited edition Nike/Liberty collaboration), I headed online and got the first pair I came across.
I went to a Spanx press day and really liked the look of their loungewear ranges. I think a pair of their Power Knee Pants would definitely provide some much-needed confidence on the treadmill. If you’re fortunate enough to worry that your bum is too small, then a pair of padded shorts can help in this area. The vest tops were nice too, and have the added bonus of looking good under everyday shirts (these days we always need to be thinking about multi-uses to make ourselves feel less guilty about spending).
For people who prefer to go for ‘sports performance’ over slender elegance, I suppose the big names such as Nike and Adidas must know what they’re doing (I don’t claim to be an expert here). Bit of Stella McCartney for Adidas worked for the Ab Fab girls so it should work for the average gym bunny.
H&M have just released a new gym range, fresh and funky, it deserves a mention.
The balance I suppose I am trying to strike here is not the much-feared “All the gear but no idea” rather a fresh take on my usual threadbare leggings and mouldy Topshop vest tops. After all, as my favourite saying goes; “The worse you feel, the better you should look.”
 Freya's powerful gym undies are second to none

 H&M have just started doing awesome activewear in zingy shades

My new 'not Sketchers!' Asics trainers

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Love From Australia Blogger Competition

Love From Australia have invited me to take part in a blogger 'Style-off'! I have been given a pair of the brand's Hunter boots to style around. On Friday 24th August, they'll be uploading the photo and then the public will be invited to like my photo on their Facebook page. Please visit Love From Australia's Facebook page and vote for me! I wasn't sure which angle to go for, here are some of the snaps from my photoshoot (thanks to my photographer, Laurel Waldron)...









Monday 13 August 2012

Jessie J Vitaminwater Gig


I went to a free Jessie J gig at Camden’s Roundhouse. Everyone was talking about her transformation. I thought she looked amazing but perhaps now a little similar to some other pop acts out there? It seemed the length of her new hair was bothering her and sure enough, a good few inches had been chopped off by the time the Closing Ceremony came around last Sunday. If I had legs like that I’d be rocking a mini dress too; I loved that she paired it with neon trainers and made it work. For girls who are chunkier of leg, shorts skirts with flats are a thing of dreams.
Fashion aside, the gig was fantastic fun and was not, as we had expected, packed full of Tweenies. There were lots of adults to play air guitar with. And that we did! I think Jessie J has an undisputedly amazing vocal range and think her star is still in the ascent.